EFFORTS to broaden the appeal of country sports paid off at the weekend's Wales Country Fair.

Attendance at the two-day show at Bodelwyddan Castle reached a six-year high and a farmer's field was commandeered for overflow parking.

Glyn Cooke, Wales director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (Basc), said: "The show is a shop window for countryside pursuits and we were keen to attract people who aren't usually interested in such activities.

"For example, there was a Punch and Judy show which was very popular with young families who, while there, also had the chance to learn more about gundogs, ferreting and falconry.

"In the current political climate, getting the message across is important - we need the public to be on our side."

Entries for the terrier and lurcher show were the highest ever seen in North Wales.

* SUPPORTERS of Basc and the Countryside Alliance recently joined forces to organise a Countryside Day at Broadleys Farm, Denbigh.

Youngsters were guided around the dairy farm, introduced to country sports and shown the running of a shoot.